United Airlines low fuel mayday triggers emergency landing at Sydney airport
A United Airlines plane with 194 passengers and crew landed safely at Sydney Airport after low fuel reserves triggered a mayday call from the pilot.
Police called a "full emergency response" was activated and briefly closed major roads surrounding the airport as a precaution at 6:36 am after the pilot of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flying from Los Angeles, raised the alert. The plane landed safely and roads were re-opened three minutes later.
"United flight 839 from Los Angeles to Sydney landed safely in Sydney following a mechanical issue. The flight had a low fuel situation and a mayday due to fuel was advised which initiated a level III emergency response," the American carrier said in a statement.
The national air navigation provider added the response was standard procedure when a mayday is called.
Most passengers on board were reportedly unaware the alarm had been raised. The aircraft taxied to the gate and all customers disembarked normally.
The New South Wales state police said in a statement a major emergency response was activated at Sydney airport after “a pilot reported a problem”.
